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With Eddie Jones stating that he may choose to rest some of England’s British and Irish Lions contingent in the upcoming End of Year internationals, as well as the shock inclusion of 18 year old fly half Marcus Smith in a recent training squad, there is much speculation on which uncapped English qualified players may receive full international honours over the next few years. Connor Whittick has chosen 23 players who could be in a prime position to gain England caps.
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Val Rapava-Ruskin (Gloucester)
Georgian born, Rapava-Ruskin is one of Gloucester’s biggest signings this Summer, having represented Worcester Warriors last season. A monster at scrum time, the big loosehead will hope to continue his prolific form from last season in a new-look Gloucester front row.
https://twitter.com/gloucesterrugby/status/882989541581361154
Jack Walker (Bath)
A former England u20 captain, Walker was hugely unlucky with injuries last season after moving to Bath from Yorkshire Carnegie. It is probable that Walker will break into the Bath matchday 23 this year, and Eddie Jones will be closely watching this highly rated hooker.
Marcus Street (Exeter Chiefs)
With Tomas Francis and possibly Harry Williams likely to be representing their national teams in the QBEs this year, this England age-grade pop could find himself playing Premiership rugby this year. An immense ball carrier, Street epitomises the ‘modern’ style of prop, and his performances for England u18 and u20 over recent campaigns won’t have gone unnoticed.
Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks)
If rumours are to be believed, Eddie Jones sees Beaumont Jr as a lock rather than his preferred position of number eight. With the arrival of Josh Strauss and Jono Ross to the Sharks, it is likely that Beaumont will establish himself as Sale’s starting lock, and will hope to force his name back into international contention.
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors)
Arguably the most impressive of the England u18s in their successful Six Nations campaign, Hill is a dynamic lock/back row forward, who has also played for England u20. Having already represented Worcester in the A-League, Hill will almost certainly see Prem action this year, and will take confidence after seeing another age-grade lock, Nick Isiekwe, represent England against Argentina this Summer.
Michael Rhodes (Saracens)
Rhodes will become eligible for England in 2018, and Eddie Jones has made his admiration for the South African back row forward no secret. Rhodes started for Saracens in both of their back-to-back European Championships, and will hope to force his way into a stacked England back row. He will hope that, at age 29, Jones will not see him as too old to break into the England setup.
Sam Jones (Wasps)
Named in some of Eddie Jones’s recent squads, Sam Jones is a brilliant defensive back row forward, and is seen by some as a long term replacement for James Haskell for both club and country.
Zach Mercer (Bath)
Mercer’s breakthrough last season was nothing short of exceptional, and with the departure of David Denton, he should see himself get another consistent season of gametime for Bath this year. The England u20 captain looked unplayable during their World Cup campaign in Georgia, and many regard the former Merchiston Castle pupil as the best young number 8 in the world.
Stuart Townsend (Exeter Chiefs)
Townsend’s performance for Exeter in their Premiership semi final against Saracens will have definitely impressed Eddie Jones, and the talented young nine will be contesting with Exeter teammate Jack Maunder for an England birth, potentially replacing an aging Danny Care.
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints)
An inclusion in Eddie Jones’s most recent England training squad, Mallinder is a big, versatile back who was one of the only bright spots in what was a very dull season for the Saints last year. He could definitely find himself in the squad for the Autumn Internationals, and his versatility could see him work his way into the matchday 23.
Gabriel Ibitoye (Harlequins)
The former Trinity School pupil was extremely impressive for England in the recent u20 World Cup competition, scoring some excellent tries (see below) and has captained England at age grade level. Could be competing with fellow Quins academy winger Sam Aspland-Robinson for England honours in the future.
Jonny Williams (London Irish)
Williams broke through into the London Irish set up in the 2015-16 season, and represents many of the qualities Eddie Jones looks for in a centre. A big ball carrier, Williams will hope to have shaken off his injury problems, and could see himself as a potential replacement to aging Ben Te’o and injury prone Manu Tuilagi.
Joe Marchant (Harlequins)
The most likely player on this team to make his debut in the QBEs, Marchant is an agile, rapid outside centre, and his background in martial arts has certainly helped him to develop a very solid defensive game. The comparisons to Jonathan Joseph are inevitable, and Marchant will seek to elevate himself above the incumbent England outside.
Marcus Watson (Wasps)
A recent signing from Newcastle Falcons, Watson will hope to emulate the achievements of his brother, Anthony, one of the stars of the recent British and Irish Lions tour in New Zealand. With a background in rugby sevens, Watson’s pace and ball carrying ability will make him a fan’s favourite at Wasps, and a potential England bolter over the next few years.
Mike Haley (Sale Sharks)
Often name checked and admired by Eddie Jones, Haley is one of many young Sale Sharks backs who will most likely represent England over the coming seasons, and is seen as a long term option at 15 for England, potentially battling Elliot Daly or Anthony Watson for the role.
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby)
An inclusion in a recent England training squad, Dunn is the second Bath hooker in this 23, having established himself in their match day squad last year. A solid scrummager and dependable ball carrier, Dunn has clearly impressed Eddie Jones, and could find himself in the squad for the QBEs if Jones chooses to rest Jamie George.
Nick Auterac (Bath Rugby)
Another Bath front row who suffered injury problems last season, Auterac’s fitness and pace are very rare for a prop (he conducts his fitness tests at Bath with their backs rather than their forwards), and he will be in contention for England caps over the next few years.
Jamal Ford-Robinson (Northampton Saints)
A fans favourite at Bristol, Ford-Robinson is a young tighthead prop who has been included by Eddie Jones in England training squads, and could be battling with teammate Paul Hill for an England place over the next few years.
Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby)
Second row partner of England international Charlie Ewels, Stooke was one of a weak Bath pack’s better players last season, and will hope to continue his progress over the coming season.
James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Having represented England Saxons in 2016, Chisholm was instrumental for Harlequins last season, and at the age of just 22 could certainly see himself break into the England setup over the coming seasons. Able to play in any of the 3 back row positions, which will please Eddie Jones.
Harry Randall (Gloucester)
The livewire scrum half has been outstanding for England u20 and Hartpury College over the last season, and with Greg Laidlaw’s departure to Clermont, Randall could be poised to be one of the breakthrough stars of Gloucester’s upcoming season.
Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
The 18 year old was recently included in an England training squad, and Eddie Jones has described him as ‘probably England’s fourth choice fly half right now’. Part of a Harlequins u18 team who were hugely successful in their Premiership victory, Smith also represented the side during their Singha Sevens campaign, and will undoubtedly be a mainstay of the England squad for many seasons to come, should he find first team appearances at Quins.
Sam James (Sale Sharks)
Able to slot in at fly half or either centre birth, James was key for Sale last season, and the club’s signings of Faf De Klerk and James O’Connor should see him pressure taken off his shoulders, allowing him to play his expansive, fast-paced game, which has earned him a place in England squads previously.
Comments on RugbyPass
Super rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
10 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
10 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
24 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
24 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
6 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
10 Go to comments